Land of salt

White salt coats the ground, forming an eerie, glittering pool in the midst of a dry landscape.

India is the world's third largest producer of salt, and saltpans here in Little Rann of Kutch, in the state of Gujarat, begin pumping out sub-soil brine water at the end of the mosoon season every year to make the crystalline substance.

2 Mar 2014. Little Rann of Kutch, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood

The process of pumping the brine lasts several months, after which it is dried to form crystals.

When the crystals are all collected, it takes another eight months to process them into edible salt.

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2 Mar 2014. Little Rann of Kutch, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood

Salt coats a labourer's feet.

2 Mar 2014. Little Rann of Kutch, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood

A woman works on the salt pan.

2 Mar 2014. Little Rann of Kutch, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood

A fellow labourer works in the area.

2 Mar 2014. Little Rann of Kutch, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood

A labourer balances salt on his head.

2 Mar 2014. Little Rann of Kutch, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood

Dry soil is seen beside a salt pan.

2 Mar 2014. Little Rann of Kutch, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood

Workers collect the substance.

2 Mar 2014. Little Rann of Kutch, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood

A labourer works on a salt pan.

2 Mar 2014. Little Rann of Kutch, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood

A woman, who also works at the salt pan, covers her face beside a solar panel outside a shelter.